By Lindsey O’Donnell SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAM & GAZETTE
Churches are spiritual centers, places where people can commune with a higher power.
But they are also essentially small businesses, with a budget, salaries, and a need for money to fill the oil tank and replace the windows.
With the country’s tough economy, many people are hesitant to donate their money to their church.
The Rev. Clyde D. Talley, the pastor at the Belmont African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Worcester, said one of the biggest obstacles to people donating is their debt load.
“Without the problem of debt in our congregation, we can focus entirely on the ministry,” Rev. Talley said. “Parishioners will be able to donate more money to the church, and then we will be able to reach out more to help the overall community. That’s our long-term goal.”
To reach his long-term goal, Rev. Talley has recently adopted a program called “Momentum.” This initiative aims to guide congregants to financial stability in their personal lives, and to increase parishioners’ fiscal generosity to their churches.
Read more here:
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Democratic Party Poised to Support Gay Marriage on Platform
The Democratic party is following the example of its leader, President Obama, and is about to endorse same-sex marriage as part of its party platform. Since Obama in May became the first sitting president to declare that gays and lesbians should be able to marry, he put the issue squarely on the national agenda, prompting debate and soul searching across the country, from suburban households to the pulpit of the black church.
According to the New York Times, Democrats held a platform-drafting meeting over the weekend in Minneapolis and approved the first step to amend their platform, placing the amendment on track for adoption. In two weeks, the entire platform committee will vote at a meeting scheduled in Detroit. Then, if approved as expected, it would go before convention delegates in Charlotte, N.C., for final passage in early September.According to Democrats who were briefed on the vote in Minneapolis, there was no objection when the issue came up. Though the language that was voted on could still be revised, party officials do not anticipate any major obstacles going forward.Not only did the platform committee approve the same-sex marriage language, they also reiterated the party’s disapproval of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing legal same-sex marriages. The 2008 platform had a similar section.The Democrats would become the first major party to embrace same-sex marriage. But as historic as the platform would be, the president’s position makes it a bit less controversial.
Gay rights supporters praised the Democratic Party’s move.
Read more here:
According to the New York Times, Democrats held a platform-drafting meeting over the weekend in Minneapolis and approved the first step to amend their platform, placing the amendment on track for adoption. In two weeks, the entire platform committee will vote at a meeting scheduled in Detroit. Then, if approved as expected, it would go before convention delegates in Charlotte, N.C., for final passage in early September.According to Democrats who were briefed on the vote in Minneapolis, there was no objection when the issue came up. Though the language that was voted on could still be revised, party officials do not anticipate any major obstacles going forward.Not only did the platform committee approve the same-sex marriage language, they also reiterated the party’s disapproval of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing legal same-sex marriages. The 2008 platform had a similar section.The Democrats would become the first major party to embrace same-sex marriage. But as historic as the platform would be, the president’s position makes it a bit less controversial.
Gay rights supporters praised the Democratic Party’s move.
Read more here:
Mississippi Church That Refused to Wed Black Couple Criticized by Baptist Leaders
By Alon Harish
Southern Baptist leaders on Monday urged a Mississippi church that refused to wed a black couple to reject racial discrimination.
Just one day before Charles and Te'Andrea Wilson were set to be married at the First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, Miss., the pastor there told them they would have to find another venue because congregants were uncomfortable with a black wedding ceremony.
After outrage mounted locally and the Wilsons' story went viral online over the weekend, officials at the Mississippi Baptist Convention chastised the Crystal Springs church for its refusal to marry the pair.
"Our entire country, and especially here in Mississippi, has been on a long journey for right racial relationships," said Mississippi Baptist Convention Board executive director Jim Futral in a statement.
City officials in Crystal Springs are planning a rally for racial unity in the town Monday evening, according to The Associated Press.
Read more here:
Southern Baptist leaders on Monday urged a Mississippi church that refused to wed a black couple to reject racial discrimination.
Just one day before Charles and Te'Andrea Wilson were set to be married at the First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, Miss., the pastor there told them they would have to find another venue because congregants were uncomfortable with a black wedding ceremony.
After outrage mounted locally and the Wilsons' story went viral online over the weekend, officials at the Mississippi Baptist Convention chastised the Crystal Springs church for its refusal to marry the pair.
"Our entire country, and especially here in Mississippi, has been on a long journey for right racial relationships," said Mississippi Baptist Convention Board executive director Jim Futral in a statement.
City officials in Crystal Springs are planning a rally for racial unity in the town Monday evening, according to The Associated Press.
Read more here:
Thursday, July 26, 2012
REVEREND R. JANAE PITTS-MURDOCK TO PREACH AT THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING FESTIVAL
Reverend R. Janae Pitts-Murdock will preach July 26, 2012 at the last Foolishness of Preaching Festival of the summer at 7 p.m. at Gifts of Life Ministries located at 1542 Jackson Avenue. Rev. R. Janae Pitts-Murdock, a native of Detroit, Michigan, was reared at New Bethel Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Robert Smith, Jr. It was at New Bethel that Rev. Janae was trained in Youth Ministry and Music Ministry providing leadership at the age of 15. She was ordained into the preaching ministry at New Bethel Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Robert Smith, Jr. Rev. Janae has achieved much educationally. She received her B.A. in Communication Studies at The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor in 1998 and her Master of Science in Public Policy and Management in 2000 from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. She also received a Master of Divinity in 2003 from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH and is working on an M.B.A at The University of Memphis. Rev. Janae accepted the call into full-time ministry and has completed a Master of Divinity degree at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. She serves as Lead Pastor at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church under Pastor Frank A. Thomas. She gives leadership to ministries that impact the spiritual maturity of believers. While at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, she has charismatically led transformation focused ministries into new models of ministry and is spearheading the church’s satellite campus launch. She continues to preach and teach throughout the nation for individuals seeking to grow closer to God. Her motto: "Excellence Honors God and Anything Less is Unacceptable." Rev. Janae is united in holy matrimony to the one she calls "God's revelation of divine love", Rev. Jeffrey Allen Murdock, Jr. They are the parents of a Jeffrey Allen Murdock, III, affectionately called "Third".
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
GIFTS OF LIFE MINISTRIES SUMMER CAMP 2012 ANNUAL PROGRAM
Thursday, July 26th, 2012
5:30 P.M.
THEME:
"THE WORLD'S GREATEST!!!!!"
With Special Guest Appearances
1542 Jackson Avenue
Memphis, TN. 38107
(901) 272-7337
Psalms 24: 1.....The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it!!!!!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
MS. MARYLAND HARRISON'S FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT INFORMATION
MS. MARYLAND HARRISON'S FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
VISITATION: Friday, July 20, 2012
Friendship Baptist Church
1355 Vollintine Avenue
Memphis, TN. 38107
(901) 272-5990
Time: 5 P.M. to 8 P.M.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, July 21, 2012
Golden Gate Cathedral
3240 James Road
Memphis, TN. 38128
Time: 11:00 A.M.
INTERMENT: Forest Hill East Cemetery
2440 Whitten Road
Memphis, TN. 38123
*REPAST AT FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH
MR. MAJOR ROBINSON'S FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT INFORMATION
Mr. Major Robinson's Funeral Arrangements:
VISITATION: Friday, July 20, 2012
MJ Edwards Funeral Home
1165 Airways Boulevard
Memphis, TN. 38114
(901) 327-9360
Time: 5 P.M. to 8 P.M.
FUNERAL: Saturday, July 21, 2012
Gifts of Life Ministries
1542 Jackson Avenue
Memphis, TN. 38107
(901) 272-7337
Time: 12:00 P.M.
* THE REPAST WILL BE AT GIFTS OF LIFE MINISTRIES!!!!
REVEREND JOHN W. BROWN, III TO PREACH AT THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING FESTIVAL
Reverend John W. Brown, III will preach July 19, 2012 at the Foolishness of Preaching Festival at 7 p.m. at Gifts of Life Ministries located at 1542 Jackson Avenue. John W. Brown, III is the eldest of two sons born to the union of the late John Brown, Jr., and Thelma Peay Brown, of Columbia, South Carolina. He was reared in Columbia, South Carolina, where he attended the city’s public schools. He furthered his undergraduate and graduate education at Dartmouth College, the University of Virginia, and the University of South Carolina. Rev. Brown is a graduate of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, and the 122nd session of the FBI National Academy. He is married to the former Cynthia L. Sims, and they are the proud parents of three adult children: John W. Brown IV, Ronald E. Brown, and Katharine E. Brown.
Upon his confession of faith, he was baptized and given the right hand of fellowship into the Saint John Baptist Church, Columbia, South Carolina under the pastorate of the late Reverend Roscoe C. Wilson, Sr. He was an active member of several auxiliaries at Saint John Baptist Church, and served as a trustee for several years until relocating to Houston, Texas. While residing in Houston, TX he joined the Yale Street Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Reverend J. T. Holcombe. Upon relocating to Virginia he joined the Mount Olive Baptist Church, Woodbridge, Virginia, under the pastorate of the late Reverend Frederick L. Ray. It was under the auspices of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church and the tutelage of Rev. Ray, that he was licensed and later ordained to the Gospel Ministry in June 1989. Rev. Brown is currently a member of the Greater Middle Baptist Church, 4982 Knight Arnold Road, Memphis, TN under the pastorate of Reverend Benjamin L. Hooks, where he serves as an Associate Minister.
He holds membership in the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the NAACP, and the Prince Hall Masonic family.
Rev. Brown served eleven years with the Columbia, South Carolina Police Department, where he held the rank of Commander and headed the Criminal Investigative Bureau of the department as the “Chief of Detectives” prior to receiving an appointment as a Special Agent of the FBI in 1982.
Following graduation from New Agents’ Training in 1983, he has served in the Columbia, S.C., Houston, TX, and Washington Field Offices of the FBI prior to being promoted in 1989 to Supervisory Special Agent and assigned to FBI Headquarters, Washington, D.C. SSA Brown was transferred to the Memphis Division in 1992 and supervised squads which handled all the investigative programs of the FBI. He retired on June 30, 2008 with 25 ½ years of service to the FBI.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
LUNCH PLATE TUESDAY'S FUNDRAISER JULY 17, 2012
LUNCH PLATES
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2012
11 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
$8.00
THIS WEEK’S MENU:
BRAISED PORK RIBS OR BAKED COUNTRY HAM
MASHED POTATOES W/GRAVY
GREEN BEANS
WHOLE KERNEL CORN
SAUTED BROCCOLI
BEVERAGE
DESSERT
GIFTS OF LIFE MINISTRIES
1542 JACKSON AVENUE
MEMPHIS, TN. 38107
*CALL IN ORDERS: (901)-272-7337
WALK-INS WELCOME!!!!
*PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT GLIFE’S SUMMER CAMP!!!!
REVEREND JAMES JOHNSON TO PREACH AT THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING FESTIVAL
Reverend James Johnson will preach July 12, 2012 at the Foolishness of Preaching Festival starting at 7 p.m. at Gifts of Life Ministries located at 1542 Jackson Avenue. Reverend James Johnson was born on July 10, 1973 to James and Lottie Johnson in Mason, Tennessee. Reverend Johnson was licensed and ordained in ministry at the age of 23 years old at First Emmanuel Baptist Church in Brownsville, Tennessee under the leadership of Pastor Joseph Darby. With a firm belief that “Understanding breeds Application”, Reverend Johnson attended American Baptist College-Jackson Extension in Jackson, Tennessee where he received a Diploma in Theology with honors in 2008 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee, Summa Cum Laude in 2010. Reverend Johnson completed a Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counseling at Memphis Theological Seminary and currently working towards a Master of Divinity degree at Memphis Theological Seminary.
Reverend Johnson is the pastor of Wortham Chapel Baptist Church in Alamo, Tennessee where his focus is building a bridge between community and church. Under his leadership, Wortham Chapel Baptist Church has experienced tremendous growth built on a fundamental facet of love and compassion.
Reverend Johnson is married to Monica Claybrook Johnson and has two daughters, Jaslyn and Mariah.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING FESTIVAL CONTINUES THIS WEEK
Detroit Pastor says police impostors invaded his home: Does God Want Revivals in the Black Church
This is the second pastor in Detroit that has been robbed, except Pastor Steve Arthur in the above photo was tied up in his home. However, whether you are robbed outside like Pastor Marvin Winans or robbed in your own home like Pastor Arthur and his wife, both cases are very bad.
When Pastor Arthur spoke on the below video, we noticed he mentioned the mayor and city council members need to do something about these criminals and get them off the streets. We know once anyone is robbed they will say anything about the situation out of frustration. However, we know Pastor Steve Arthur…Read full article, here.
This is a preview of Detroit Pastor says police impostors invaded his home: Does God Want Revivals in the Black Church?.
Read more here:
When Pastor Arthur spoke on the below video, we noticed he mentioned the mayor and city council members need to do something about these criminals and get them off the streets. We know once anyone is robbed they will say anything about the situation out of frustration. However, we know Pastor Steve Arthur…Read full article, here.
This is a preview of Detroit Pastor says police impostors invaded his home: Does God Want Revivals in the Black Church?.
Read more here:
How to Know if Your Church Leader is a Pastor or Pimp?
Well guys, as you well know, we, Black folk, take our religion seriously.
That is why when we hear about church leaders acting far-less-than-holy, it causes such a stir… Case in point: A Houston pastor and his wife were recently arrested and charged with conning their former congregation at Bethel Institutional Missionary Baptist Church out of $430,000 in church funds, using them for gambling trips to Louisiana…
Now that’s a problem!
But, the good news is a pastor and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Naropa University in Boulder, Co has come up with a way of separating good pastors from questionable ones.
The Reverend Dr. Donald H. Matthews, author of the upcoming book, Sexual Abuse in the Black Church, recently developed a litmus test called, “How to tell if your Minister is a Pastor or a Pimp.” That’s right, and if you answer yes to at least 5 of these questions, then according to Dr. Matthews, your pastor just might be a pimp… Here we go:
1-Does your minister care more about visiting the sisters than visiting the sick?
2- Does your minister care more about his clothing than about clothing the poor?
3-Does your minister care more about hooking up at the convention than helping the elderly keep their gas and electric hooked up?
4-Does your minister care more about his first lady’s appearance than he does about appearing at the prison to visit the inmates?
5-Does your minister spend more on cars and bling than feeding the hungry?
6-Does your minister have more groupies than Denzel Washington?
7-Does your minister care more about Preaching than he does about Pastoring?
8-Does your minister have a bigger house than the homeless shelter?
9-Does your minister give out more hugs to the women in the church than the church gives scholarships to young people?
10-Does your minister condemn gay folks so you won’t notice his and his fellow ministers’ male and female lovers?
However we feel about this test, it certainly makes us think about who we are actually supporting when it comes to our religious leaders, and encourages us to see our faith as a sacred relationship with God, and not with some flawed human being playing God while pimpin’ us to fulfill their earthly desires and I don’t want to hear about any church leaders getting mad at me for bringing this subject up because, if you are truly a person of God and not a pimp, then you have nothing to worry about.
You can view the actual Pastor or Pimp test by going toFacebook.com/pastororpimp
I’ll leave you with this scripture verse from Matthew 7:15:“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
By; Stephanie Robinson
That is why when we hear about church leaders acting far-less-than-holy, it causes such a stir… Case in point: A Houston pastor and his wife were recently arrested and charged with conning their former congregation at Bethel Institutional Missionary Baptist Church out of $430,000 in church funds, using them for gambling trips to Louisiana…
Now that’s a problem!
But, the good news is a pastor and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Naropa University in Boulder, Co has come up with a way of separating good pastors from questionable ones.
The Reverend Dr. Donald H. Matthews, author of the upcoming book, Sexual Abuse in the Black Church, recently developed a litmus test called, “How to tell if your Minister is a Pastor or a Pimp.” That’s right, and if you answer yes to at least 5 of these questions, then according to Dr. Matthews, your pastor just might be a pimp… Here we go:
1-Does your minister care more about visiting the sisters than visiting the sick?
2- Does your minister care more about his clothing than about clothing the poor?
3-Does your minister care more about hooking up at the convention than helping the elderly keep their gas and electric hooked up?
4-Does your minister care more about his first lady’s appearance than he does about appearing at the prison to visit the inmates?
5-Does your minister spend more on cars and bling than feeding the hungry?
6-Does your minister have more groupies than Denzel Washington?
7-Does your minister care more about Preaching than he does about Pastoring?
8-Does your minister have a bigger house than the homeless shelter?
9-Does your minister give out more hugs to the women in the church than the church gives scholarships to young people?
10-Does your minister condemn gay folks so you won’t notice his and his fellow ministers’ male and female lovers?
However we feel about this test, it certainly makes us think about who we are actually supporting when it comes to our religious leaders, and encourages us to see our faith as a sacred relationship with God, and not with some flawed human being playing God while pimpin’ us to fulfill their earthly desires and I don’t want to hear about any church leaders getting mad at me for bringing this subject up because, if you are truly a person of God and not a pimp, then you have nothing to worry about.
You can view the actual Pastor or Pimp test by going toFacebook.com/pastororpimp
I’ll leave you with this scripture verse from Matthew 7:15:“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
By; Stephanie Robinson
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